Private Finished Smoke Screen

"You definitely do that," Rory said about to turn around to undo the bindings when Broen was suddenly in front of her. A little too close, but Rory was used to that. She tensed on reaction.

"Tempting. Now pick a movie, nerd." She set a hand on his chest to gently steer him back so she could undo the binding and pull her shirt back on. She sat on his couch. "I'd normally say no to the food, but I'd fuckin' love to try something you made. So, yes. Beer. No."

And Lorelai waited until he was back and on the couch beside her before she spoke again. "Hey, remember when I asked you about my powers? Gave you that money? You grabbed my wrist and said 'Fine. You get a pass this time.' Don't ever do that shit again."

Rory mouthed an exaggerated 'wow' at Broen's (beg her pun) heated comment about the microwave. But Rory opted to watch Kill Bill until the food was heated and Broen popped away and back again.

When Rory took a bite of the stir fry she made an approving sound. "Cooking a passion of yours or...?"

Rory couldn't help it, she laughed. It was such a Broen answer that it had her sides splitting. She took the bowl in her lap once she'd turned to face him, legs crossed under her.

"Name one thing you don't do for sex, money, or powers." She took a bite, thought and then pointed at him. When she'd swallowed, she said, somewhat excitedly, "and it can't be a basic need like sleeping, eating, or showering."

That sobered Rory right up. What could she say to that without asking questions Broen didn't seem to want to answer? So, for a time, Rory enjoyed her food and watching a movie with a friend. Or what amounted to a friend.

"He's the reason you don't like your hair touched? Or why you don't like animals?"

Rory was done smiling or looking at Broen. She stared into her bowl. Not because she was uncomfortable, but because she was angry. That was something that would show in her eyes, not her face.

Rory might have fought that they'd been over the difference of pitying and empathizing, even if it was a trite one. But Rory wasn't feeling bad. She was feeling angry.

She looked up and met his eyes. Sometimes she wished she could have hidden the intensity there. Even if her face could have stayed neutral, her eyes never could. "I wonder why you killed him instead of took it all. The reputation. Everything he'd worked for. That's what would have hurt him most. Living with that every day, having to wake up and look in the mirror knowing he was nothing. That'd have killed him a hundred times over."

And was that a fucked up thing to say? Maybe. But it felt right.